Tag Archives: Addict

‘Recovered Addict Challenges TikTok’s Gambling Influencers in David vs. Goliath Battle’

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While in a bathroom in Paris, Rob Minnick realized he needed help. He had flown 3,700 miles to explore the French capital, but kept disappearing every 10 to 15 minutes.

“People probably thought I had a severe stomach issue,” he recalled of his February 2022 trip. However, it wasn’t his stomach that was the problem – Minnick had developed a gambling addiction.

He found himself constantly searching for quick wins on his phone, dabbling in sports betting, slot-style games, blackjack, and roulette.

After returning home to New Jersey, attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings, and abstaining from gambling for eight months, Minnick relapsed in November 2022. This led to him spending 12 hours in a casino, resulting in six months of debt repayment.

At 23 years old, broke, and in desperate need of assistance, Minnick surrendered control of his bank accounts to his family and returned to GA meetings, a common path for gambling addicts. However, he ultimately discovered a different route to recovery.

Just four months after his last bet, while in a drive-thru at Dunkin’ Donuts, Minnick began sharing his insights on gambling odds through TikTok videos under the username rob_odaat.

By narrating his struggles with addiction and discussing the risks of gambling, Minnick hopes to provide a positive message on the issue and hold individuals accountable through both anonymous meetings and online posts.

Despite the surge in gambling popularity in the US, Minnick believes more people are becoming problem gamblers. He acknowledges that the prevalence of gambling addiction discussions falls into two categories, with many influencers promoting gambling predictions and advice.

Minnick posted questions on TikTok as a warning sign of gambling addiction. He feels outnumbered against production companies and influencers glorifying gambling victories and believes mainstream celebrities should speak out about their gambling struggles.

He draws parallels between the opioid epidemic and responsible gambling messaging, stating that the focus should be on the industry rather than individual gamblers. While he acknowledges the efforts of those promoting responsible gambling, he highlights the need for targeted support for at-risk gamblers.

Minnick believes that responsible gambling is important but should not solely benefit the industry and should focus on reaching and aiding individuals at risk of gambling problems.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Unveiling the Hidden World of a Porn Addict: ‘I Take Extreme Caution in Concealing My Actions’

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TOny, who is in his 50s, recently did a quick calculation of how much time he’s spent watching porn in his life. “The results were horrifying,” he says. Eight years. “It’s hard to even think about. The frustration is intense.”

Tony saw his first “hardcore” movie on VHS in the 1980s, when he was 12 years old. It was in his 20s that he first got online, which turned his habit into a “full-blown addiction.” For the past 30 years, he’s managed to maintain a double life: he works in care, has friendships and relationships with men and women. But there’s one side of him he keeps completely secret.

“So far, I’ve only told three people about this: two therapists, and now you,” he says. “I’ve kept it a complete secret from everyone I’ve ever known. I’m very careful to cover my tracks, even in relationships. My lack of interest in sex with my partner might be the only thing that makes her wonder.”

Tony has tried many times to stop watching porn but has never been able to go more than a month without it. He’s tried cutting down, banned masturbation, blocked porn sites, and tried to quit completely. But “the addict’s brain is very cunning and manipulative,” he says. He also tried therapy, but found it difficult to keep up with the costs long-term.

Still, Tony is grateful for one thing: he was young before the internet. “At least I had a normal youth. Parties, shows, adventures with friends. I had a girlfriend. I had a sex life. A guy like me doesn’t have that chance now.”

All statistics on pornography use in the UK and globally have skyrocketed due to the widespread use of mobile phones: in May 2023 alone, around 13.8 million people, a third of all internet-using adults, viewed pornography online.
According to Ofcom
Of these, two-thirds were male. Although pornography companies do not report (or acknowledge) statistics on underage viewers, on average, children in the UK first see pornography at age 12. In a recent study, the Children’s Commissioner for England said:
Much of what young people see is violent and extreme.

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Source: www.theguardian.com